If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please note that posts from new users are now moderated. If you have just joined this forum and post a new message it will be held in the moderation queue until a member of staff approves it. Please be patient and our staff will review your submission as soon as possible.

running and runny nose, I think, ask for leave

No.1
I get confused by "running nose " and "runny nose". Please read the following sentences:
Yesterday I had a runny nose.
Yesterday I had a running nose.

No.2
I don't think I can do it.
I think I can't do it.
Could you please explain if both of the two structures correct? And is there any difference in meaning?

No.3
If I am ill I have to ask for a sick leave. And if I need to leave the place where I work then I should ask for a leave. Is that right? Or is there an expression like "to ask for a casual leave of absence"?

Re: running and runny nose, I think, ask for leave

1 http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...ning-nose.html
2 It depends- there may be differences in the degree of certainty- the second sounds less likely, but intonation and context could change that.
3 ask for sick leave (no article). The second part depends on the reason you're leaving.

Re: running and runny nose, I think, ask for leave

Originally Posted by jiang

No.2
I don't think I can do it.
I think I can't do it.
Could you please explain if both of the two structures correct? And is there any difference in meaning?

They both mean "I think that I can't do it". However, in most phrases like this, they are usually expressed in English like "I don't think I can do it". That is, with negatives, we strangely negate the first verb rather than the second.
Instead of "I think not-X", we say, "I don't think X".

This happens with some other verbs.
"I don't believe that's true" generally means "I do believe that's not true."
"I don't want you to come" means "I want you not to come."